79 Widetrack Axle Questions

[YellowJeep]

Hey all, long time no post!

Recently found the rear axle in my 79 Widetrack is pretty worn out and hosed up. Since it's offset and I won't be running the q-trac any more I was hoping you folks had some info for me. (yes I've searched but I get different results)

1) How wide is the stock 79 wide track axle behind a q-trac wms to wms?
2) What have others done as far as replacements? I was looking at 8.8 but converting to 6x5.5 is a PITA.

Thanks!

[Heavy_Metal_Thunder_81]

Well, first question is, are you lifted at all? Because even with essentially a 4" lift I cannot fit a center diff axle with the fuel tank in the way. A 6" lift or SOA/SF may clear but I haven't gotten that far yet. Or are you running a rear tank?

[mattmopar440]

post in the wanted section rear axles for WT come up pretty often

[Heavy_Metal_Thunder_81]

post in the wanted section rear axles for WT come up pretty often

He's asking what center diff axle will work other than the offset FSJ axles.

Also, check some Isuzu stuff. They're 6 lug Dana 44's with disc brakes. You'd need to figure a way to mount them, though.

[Heavy_Metal_Thunder_81]

Just went out and did a rough measurement on mine and got ~64.5"

Hope that helps.

[YellowJeep]

Not lifted and rear mount tank.

Thanks for the measurements. I've seen 65" and 63" inches for the offset widetrac Dana44. Sounds like 65" is more accurate.

Looked at some of the isuzu stuff but most have rediculous low gear ratios and regearing them is a trick since they are "just a bit" different than a regular 44.

Anyone else have suggestions for a non-offset axle?

[joe]

Easiest is likely go with an 80 up Wt axle. 80 was the year AMC went with centered diffs. The WT Chero's and J-10's ran an AMC20 rear till mid 86 when they switched to D44 rears. The J-20's all ran D60's. Stock R&P gearing will be different than your 79 so one end will need to be regeared. Why not just rebuild your 79 D44?

[Heavy_Metal_Thunder_81]

Easiest is likely go with an 80 up Wt axle. 80 was the year AMC went with centered diffs. The WT Chero's and J-10's ran an AMC20 rear till mid 86 when they switched to D44 rears. The J-20's all ran D60's. Stock R&P gearing will be different than your 79 so one end will need to be regeared. Why not just rebuild your 79 D44?

He, like myself, has a center output transfer case and wants a center diff. I have a Wide Track AMC 20 from an '80-'83 Cherokee to swap into mine but have to wait until my bigger lift comes in to clear my side mount tank. Also note that the J-10 AMC 20s were wider and the spring perches/shock mounts are in different locations preventing it from being a "bolt-in" swap.

[77Deepj20]

A gm/chevy 14bolt semi floater from a 2wd truck is about 65". 4wd is a lot wider. Its available in a 6 lug 6x5.5, in 1500hd trucks and light 2500 trucks. The 10bolt axle is also very easy to find but not quite as strong

[motogod77]

He, like myself, has a center output transfer case and wants a center diff. I have a Wide Track AMC 20 from an '80-'83 Cherokee to swap into mine but have to wait until my bigger lift comes in to clear my side mount tank. Also note that the J-10 AMC 20s were wider and the spring perches/shock mounts are in different locations preventing it from being a "bolt-in" swap.

Why worry about the offset? The research I have done claims the offset rear makes no difference on a centered output tcase? I'm inquiring for my own knowledge as I am going to run a NP D208 in my 1979 and retain the stock rear axle. (Or that was the plan anyway)

[77Deepj20]

I ran my truck for a while with a center output transfer case and a offset axle and noticed nothing out of the ordinary.

[Heavy_Metal_Thunder_81]

My reasoning is really just because I want to. I do notice that I chew through u-joints a bit quicker (about every two years or so) but I'm not sure that has to do with the axle being offset or not. In theory it shouldn't, but then it didn't start having issues until after I swapped in the Dana 20.

[rocklaurence]

Most of the WT Cherokees that I've pulled had 65" front axles and the NT rear at 60-ish. I believe its to allow the rear tires to tuck up inside the wheel wells. I'm not sure if it's only the 80's that did this

[rang-a-stang]

Good point rocklaurence. I've also noticed on my 79 WT, the front wheels/tires fit exactly where I want them in the front fenders but the rear wheels/tires seem sunken in. (this is an older pic but notice the rear wheels seem about 2" inside the lip while the fronts look like they are right up to the edge without sticking out.


You can kinda see it here, too.

[Heavy_Metal_Thunder_81]

Most of the WT Cherokees that I've pulled had 65" front axles and the NT rear at 60-ish. I believe its to allow the rear tires to tuck up inside the wheel wells. I'm not sure if it's only the 80's that did this

I have heard this before but never seen it. I have a W/T AMC 20 from an '80 Cherokee here that I'll be swapping in after my lift gets here. It is the same width as my W/T Dana 44 on my '79. I sent an '81 W/T Cherokee to the junkyard a few years ago, it had a W/T AMC 20 rear and there is an '83 Laredo Cherokee in the yard down the road from here also with a W/T AMC 20. The rear axles are slightly narrower than the fronts but nowhere near as narrow as a N/T axle.